Centrifugal concentrator



C. SCHIFFERLE.,

CENTRIFUGAL CONCENTRATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I4, |918.

1 ,322, 1 39. Patented Nov. 18, 1919'.

NMKW

CHARLES SCI-IIFFERLE, OF MARYSVILLE, CALIFORNIA.

CENTRIFUG-AL CONCENTRATOR.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

'Patented Nov. 1s, 1919.

Application filed March 14, 1918. Serial No. 222,346.

To all 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, CHARLES SCHIFFERLE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Marysville, county of Yuba, and State of California, have invented a new and useful Centrifugal Concentrator, of which the following is a specication.

Mfy invention relates to centrifugal concentrators, and one of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus of the character described for recovering from finely crushed ores or sands their valuable mineral constituents by the combined action of centrifugal force, and an opposing current of liquid, preferably water.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus in which the material to be separated is held in a mobile or substantially fluid condition, While being acted on by centrifugal force. Q

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described in which is incorporated improved means for delivering` to the material being concentrated the liquid in which it is suspended in a mobile condition.

The invention possesses other objects and advantages, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of my invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part yof the specication. It is to be understood that l do not limit myself to the showing made by the said drawings and description, as l may adopt variations of the preferred form within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims.

The invention is especially designed for the concentration of crushed ores, placer sands or similar materials. The material to be concentrated is subjected to the action of centrifugal force while being maintained in a substantially fluid or mobile condition in a suitable liquid, so that the particles of greater specific gravity which represent the values may pass through and displace t-he particles of lesser specific gravity. The latter as tailings are permitted to discharge from the machine, while the former collect within the machine and are removed when desired. Provision is made for supplying liquid to the materials being treated in such a way as t0 avoid any material current which would have a tendency to carry away in vsuspension any of the smaller and lighter valuable particles.

In the accompanying drawings l have shown an embodiment of my invention particularly adapted for treating sand, and'also 60 a modified form particularly adapted to handle slimes.

Figure 1 is a vertical section taken through the axis of the sand machine.

`E ig. 2 is an elevation of one of the many 65 nipples and shields of the apparatus.

F ig. 3 is a bottom view of the shield with the nipples removed.

F ig. a is a vertical section of a portion of a modified form of machine particularly adapted to handle slimes. y

Fig. 5 is an elevation partly in section of one of the nipples and a portion 'of the shell showing the method of mounting the nipple in the shell.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the apparatus comprises a circular base B provided with holes 2 through which project the studs which secure the base to a suitable foundation. In the center of the base is a boss 3 in which is fixed a hollow shaft or studbearing et. Arranged to rotate upon the stud a is the circular drum designated generally by the letter D which, essentially, consists of a double receptacle or annular casing, the inner chamber 5 of which is adapted to receive from the feed spout 6 the material to be treated, and the outer chamber 7 of which is adapted to receive liquid which is, by means presently to be described, introduced into the material, to lmaintain it in a mobile condition, so that under the infiuence of centrifugal force engendered by the rotation of the drum, the values are concentrated upon the wall of the inner receptacle.

The drum D comprises a main casting generally circular in plan or horizontal section, and substantially of the vertical section shown in Fig. 1. A central chamber 8 is inclosed by the bell-shaped wall or casing 9 and bottom wall 12 of the casting, and fluid, preferably water, for the treatment of the sand, enters this chamber through the neel; 13, formed by the upward extension of the casing 9. A fluid tight rotatable connection is provided between the neck 13 and the fixed conduit 14, comprising a stumng box 116 having a babbit lining 17 and packing 18 compressed by the gland 19.

Formed upon the bottom wall 12 and projecting into the chamber 8 is a hollow journal or socket 21 in which the stud 4 seats. A bronze bearing bushing 22 is disposed between the hollow journal and the stud-bearing, and a ball thrust bearing 23 of suitable design to take the load of the rotating drum and 4contents is disposed between the flanged end of the bushing and the upper face of the boss 3.

Means are provided for rotating the drum. On the flange 24 projecting from the bottom wall 12 and surrounding the end of the bushing 22, is suitably fixed a, worm gear 26.. Iii-mesh with this gear is a worm 27 fixed on the sha'ft 28 and driven by the pulley 29 from any suitable source of power. The bottom wall 12 is extended outwardly and the edge given an upward turn, and provided on the outside with a flange or lip 31. The wall 9 is also extended outwardly by the annular wall 9a which thus forms with the wall 12 a horizontal annular passage 32 which is really an extension of chamber 8. A steel plate cylindrical shell 33 is seated in an annular groove in the flange 31 and securely held therein by rod bolts 34 passing through the flange 31 and through a clamp ring 36 disposed on the top edge of the shell. A second shell 37 conically formed and spaced from the shell 33 is disposed between the clamp ring and the outer edge of the wall 9a. This shell, like the shell 33, is seated in annular grooves and rigidly held in position by the rod bolts 34. The two shells thus form a casing inclosing the annular outer chamber 7 which is in communication with the central chamber 8 through the passage 32; and the shell 37 and the walls 9 and 9:L form the inner chamber 5 for the reception of the materials to be treated.

Spaced about the bottom of chamber 5 at suitable intervals are passages 38, discharging into a launder 39 annularly disposed about the base of the apparatus within the housing 40. Vithin the chamber 5 and overlying the wall 9 is a lining plate 41 of .conical form, upon which the materials to be treated are discharged from the feed pipe G. The bottom of the lining plate is flared outwardly over the openings of the passages 38 so that incoming material cannot enter these passages.

It will be understood from the above that when value bearing sand, either wet or dry, is fed into the chamber 5 of the revolving drum, it is thrown from the flaring edge of the lining plate and gradually spreads out upon the wall 37, working upward toward the inner edge of the clamp ring 36. It will also be clear that liquid introduced into the central chamber 8 through the neck 13 will at once be forced into the chamber 7 and against the outer face of the shell 37 against the inner face of which lie the value bearing materials.

Means are provided for permitting the liquid to pass through the shell and mingle with the material so as to keep it in a mobile condition and permit the values to concentrate under the influence of centrifugal force. Thickly spaced about the entire inner surface of the shell 37 are nipples 42, each carrying a shield 43. Figs. 2 and 3 show the construction of the nipple and shield. The nipple is conveniently pressed from seamless brass tubing and is provided with a flange 44 adjacent one end to limit the penetration of the nipple into both shield 43 and the shell 37. lVhen the parts are asseinbled, this flange operates to space the edges of the shield from the surface of the shell. The nipple is secured in a suitably-sized aperture in the shell, by spinning over the edge or other appropriate means and in a machine such as shown in the drawings there are over one thousand nipples. The outer end of the nipple is provided with an aperture 45 and over the apertured end, the shield 43 is pressed so as to diffuse the jet of liquid issuing from the nipple, and turn it backwardly toward the .shell in thin flat streams.

The shield consists preferably of a thin square steel plate, which is formed by pressure in suitable dies, to provide a central socket 46 in which the nipple fits tightly, and narrow radially disposed passages 47 leading from the curved apex 48 toward the base of the shield. This is accomplished by pressing portions 49 of the plate perpendicular to cach edge, into substantial par allelisin with the portion 49 on the opposite side, to form the socket. This operation also folds the intervening portions together on the diagonal line so that four narrow passages radiate from the socket.

It will be obvious that the pressure of the liquid in the chamber 7 due to the centrifugal force of the liquid in the passage 32 and chamber 8, will cause a jet of liquid from each nipple to impinge on the curved inner surface of the apex of the shield, and be deflected backwardly through the passages 47, to issue adjacent the bottom of the mass of material spread over and around the shields. The speed of rotation of the drum is regulated so that the force with which the liquid emerges from the passages 47 is insufficient to cause material currents or disturbance in the mass of material. Liquid is introduced in sufficient quantity to keep the mass fluid and mobile, so that the heavier or valuable particles will gradually pass outwardly and concentrate against the face of the shell 37, displacing the lighter particles, which therefore pass inwardly. lVith the accession of material from the feed pipe 6, the material builds up on the surface of the shell, the tendency being upward on account of the cone shape of the shell, and the lighter particles being displaced toward the center of rotation until a discharge of such light particles and liquid begins to take place over the lip 51 of the clamp ring 36. The tailings are flung from the lip of the ring into the lau'nder 52, which is formed like the launder 89 Within the housing 40. After runnin long enough to build up a sufHcient accumu ation of concentrates on the surface of the shell 37, the rotation of the drum is stopped, whereupon the concentrates gravitate to the bottom of the chamber 5 and through the passages 38 into the launder 39. The liquid issuing from the shields under normal or augmented pressure operates to flush down the sides of the chamber and carry all of the concentrates into the launder.

Then th-e machine which I have just described is to be used with slimes, I prefer to amplify the structure by the addition of a screen 61, Fig. t, say of QO-mesh in front of the shields 43. The screen is secured to and supported aby a conically formed foraminated plate 62 having relatively large openings 63 therein, and the plate is positioned in annular grooves in the clamp ring 36 and the wall 9a concentric with the shell 87, and spaced therefrom, so as to permit a layer of coarse sand 64 to be filled in over the shields and between the shell 37 and screen 6l.

lith the feeding; of the slime, the concentration of the values in the interstices of the sand takes place in the same manner as already7 described, the sand exerting a deterrent influence on the extreme mobility of the excessively fine values, and permitting such values to concentrate without being carried out with the tailings. When the concentrated values have accumulated Suthciently the druin is stopped, and they are washedout of the sand by introducing water through the passages 66 in the clamp ring, normally closed by plates 67.

I claim:

l. In an apparatus of the character described, a rotatable drum comprising a chamber for the reception of material to be treated, and means for introducing a continuous supply of liquid upon the wall of said chamber at a velocity insufficient to form appreciable currents.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a rotatable drum comprising a chamber having a lateral wall means for introducing material to be treated into said chamber and permitting it to spread upon said wall, and means for introducing a con tinuous supply of liquid upon said wall to maintain the materials in a fluid or mobile condition, and at a velocity insufiicient to form appreciable currents therein.

3. In an apparatus of ther character described, a rotatable drum comprising a chamber having a lateral wall for the reception of material to be treated, apertures in said wall for the passage of liquid into said chamber, and means arranged adjacent said apertures for causing the incoming liquid to be delivered in a diffused stream outwardly against the inner surface of said wall.

1l. In an apparatus of the character described, a rotatable drum comprising a chamber having a lateral wall for the reception of material to be treated, apertures in said wall for the passage of liquid into said chamber, means arranged adjacent said apertures for causing the incoming liquid to be delivered in a diiiused stream outwardly against the inner surface of said wall, and means disposed adjacent said wall for eX- erting a deterrent inliuence upon the mobility of the material under treatment.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, a rotatable drum comprising `a chamber having a lateral wall for the reception of material to vbe treated, apertures in said wall for the passage of liquid into said chamber, means arranged adjacent said apertures for causing' the incoming liquid to be delivered in a diffused stream outwardly against the inner surface of said wall, means disposed adjacent said wall for exerting a deterrent influence upon the mobility of the material under treatment, and means for supporting said deterrent means.

6. Inan. apparatus ofthe character described, a rotatable drum comprising a chamber having a lateral wall for the reception of material to be treated, a plurality of nipples arranged upon said wall,me`ans for supplying liquid to said nipples and a shield arranged over each nipple whereby the jet of liquid issuing therefrom is directed backwardly against said wall.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, a rotatable drum comprising a chamber having a lateral wall for the reception of material to betreated, a plurality of nipples arranged upon said wall, means for supplying liquid to said nipples, a shield arranged over each nipple whereby the jet of liquid issuing' therefrom is directed backwardly against said wall, a screen spaced from and substantially concentric with said wall, and a layer of coarse sand between the lateral wall and the screen.

8. In; an apparatus of the character described, a rotatable drum comprising an inner chamber having a lateral wall for the reception of material to be treated, an annular chamber surrounding said inner chamber, means for supplying said annular chamber with liquid, means for permitting said liquid to pass through said lateral wall into said inner chamber, and means for diffusing said liquid and directing it outwardly against said lateral wall.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, a rotatable drum comprising' an inner chamber having a lateral wall for the reception of material to be treated, an annular chamber surrounding said inner chamber, means for supplying said annular' chamber with liquid, a plurality of nipples arranged upon said wall and adapted to discharge liquid from said annular chamber into said inner chamber, and a shield ar ranged over each nipple for diffusing said discharging liquid into a plurality of streams flowing outwardly against said wall.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, a rotatable drum comprising an inner chamber having a lateral wall for the reception of material to be treated, an annular chamber surrounding said inner chamber, a central chamber in communication with said annular chamber, means for discharging liquid into said central chamber, means for discharging material to be treated into said inner chamber, and means for permitting the centrifugal force engendered by the rotation of said drum to cause liquid from saidannular chamber to be delivered in a diffused stream outwardly against the inner surface of said lateral wall.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, a rotatable drum comprising an inner chamber having a lateral wall for the reception of material to be treated, an annular chamber surrounding said inner chamber, means for supplying said annular chamber with liquid, means for discharging material to be treated into said inner chamber, and means for perim'tting the passage of liquid from said annular chamber into said inner chamber in a diused stream flowing outwardly against the inner surface of said wall.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, a rotatable drum comprising an inner chamber having a lateral wall for the reception of material to be treated, an annular chamber surrounding said inner chamber, means for supplying said annular chamber with liquid, means for discharging material to be treated into said inner chamber, means for permitting the passage of liquid from said annular chamber into said inner chamber in a diffused stream iowing outwardly against the inner surface of said wall whereby the material thereon is maintained in a mobile condition, means for rotating the drum whereby the heavier particles of said material move outwardly toward said wall -to displace the lighter parti* cles thereof, means for permitting said lighter particles and liquid to discharge from said inner chamber during the rotation of said drum, and means for permitting the gravital discharge of said concentrate of heavier particles and liquid when said drum is at rest.

18. In an apparatus of the character described, a rotatable drum comprising an inner chamber having a lateral wall for the reception of material to be treated, an annu lar chamber surrounding said inner chamber, means for supplying said annular chamber with liquid, means for discharging material to be treated into said inner chamber, means for permitting the passage of liquid from said annular chamber into said inner chamber in a diffused stream flowing outwardly against the inner surface of said wall whereby the material thereon is maintained in a mobile condition, means for rotating the drum whereby the heavier particles of said material move outwardly toward said wall to displace the lighter particles thereof, means for permitting said lighter particles and liquid to discharge from said inner chamber during the rotation of said drum, means for permitting the gravital discharge of said concentrate of heavier particles and liquid when said drum is at rest, and means for preventing the incoming material from entering said gravital discharge means during the rotation of said drum.

14. In an apparatus of the character described, a drum comprising a circular bottom wall, an annular wall of less diameter than said bottom wall spaced therefrom and substantially parallel thereto, a bell-form casing integral with said annular wall on its inner edge, an annular ring spaced above said bottom and annular walls, a pair of shells spaced apart and having their upper edges seated in said annular ring, the lower edge of one of said shells being seated in said bottom wall and the lower edge of the other shell being seated in said annular wall, means for rotatably supporting said drum and means for rotating said drum.

15. In a centrifugal concentrator, a nipple and a shield arranged on said nipple whereby a et of liquid issuing from said nipple is directed backwardly toward the base thereof in a plurality of flat streams.

16. In a centrifugal concentrator, a nipple, and a shield provided with a centrally disposed socket in which said nipple seats and a plurality of narrow passages radiating from said socket and opening at the base of said shield.

17. In a centrifugal concentrator, a nipple, and a shield for said nipple formed of a flat metallic plate, a portion of the plate, perpendicular to each edge on opposite sides, being pressed into substantial parallelism to form a socket adapted to receive the end of said nipple, and the portions between said perpendicular portions being thereby folded together to provide narrow passages opening in the base of the shield.

18. In a centrifugal concentrator, a chamber having a lateral wall for the reception of materials to be treated, a nipple arranged ifi said wall, a shield provided with a socket in which said nipple seats, and a plurality of said annular chamber into said inner chamber in a ditused stream flowing outwardly 15 against the inner surfaeey of said wall, a screen spaced from said wall, and a layer of sand disposed between the screen and the wall and over said stream diffusing means.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set 20 my hand at Martinez, California, this 7th day of March, 1918.

CHARLES SCHIFFERLE.

In presence of- C. H. HAYDEN. 

